Digital Trust
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Trusted digital recognitions are emerging

European frameworks (eIDAS 2.0 and MiCA Regulation) are reshaping the digital landscape with two new concepts: Verifiable Credentials (VCs) and digital assets. Both will enable a shift towards trusted digital recognition of physical and digital objects by 2030.

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VCs are tamper-proof digital attestations (diplomas or qualifications) issued by trusted institutions or organisations for individuals to store in their digital wallets.

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Digital assets as tokens, including non-fungible tokens (NFTs), represent digital value, access, or ownership. As it is designed to be transferable: once a token leaves your wallet, its associated rights move too, making them suitable for (value) exchange, single-use recognition, or participation in initiatives.

Maturity

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More diversified access to large AI models Increase in co-evolution between hardware and AI Collaboration between humans and AI Democratisation of XR content creation using generative AI Public investments in XR continue to increase Standardisation of data space architectures for secure and trusted data sharing Growing significance of augmented data management Trusted digital recognitions are emerging Digital Trust Frameworks: from hierarchical to distributed trust Emerging dualuse of AI in cybersecurity More accessible privacy-enhancing technologies to share data Rising pressure to prepare for post-quantum cryptography Emergence of measures for secure Internet of Things The growing need for security protocols to work in the cloud Growing investments in the European cloud infrastructure & sovereignty More AI-driven hardware in data centres to manage workloads in the cloud Increasing need for heterogeneous and hybrid computing platforms Trade-offs in accuracy with approximate computing Fixed wireless access Fibre optic networks: strategic infrastructure for the knowledge economy Enhancing quantum computing robustness and potential Quantum sensing integration to other domains

Drivers

Impact

education

Education

  • Learners gain greater control over their learning and career journeys with digital wallets, allowing them to manage and share trusted, verifiable achievements across contexts and borders. This shift enhances mobility, autonomy, and visibility.
  • Educational institutions adopt new roles as issuers and validators within decentralised recognition networks, where formal credentials and purpose-driven tokens co-exist. This transformation supports modular learning pathways, personalised recognition, and broader stakeholder engagement, from employers to societal partners.
Research

Research

  • Decentralised reputation models and token-based systems enable more transparent, collaborative ecosystems and new ways of crediting contributions. At a systemic level, eIDAS 2.0 and MiCA provide the legal foundation that enables interoperable, learner-centred ecosystems to emerge and scale.
  • A future-ready education and research landscape, where trust, flexibility, and recognition are embedded, positioning individuals and institutions to thrive in a digitally connected world.
Operations

Operations

  • Streamlined processes, reduced administrative tasks, and automated processing of credentials will be realised thanks to interoperable and trustworthy data exchange.
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